The government has announced the closure of the Entrepreneur Work Visa and introduced a new Business Investor Visa.
The Business Investor Work Visa will open for applications in November 2025 and offer 2 investment options:
- NZD 1 million investment in an existing business, for a three-year work-to-residence pathway
- NZD 2 million investment in an existing business, for a 12-month fast-track to residence pathway
Applicants can purchase a business outright on either visa pathway or acquire at least 25% of the business, provided they meet the minimum NZD 1 million or NZD 2 million investment thresholds.
Both options lead to eligibility to apply for the Business Investor Resident Visa. A Business Investor Visa may be granted for up to four years.
The cost of the Business Investor Work Visa will be NZD 12,380. This includes the visa application fee and immigration levy. Applicants may also include their partner and dependent children in their application.
The Business Investor Work Visa complements the Active Investor Plus Visa, which was refreshed in April 2025, and is part of a broader update to business immigration settings to attract investment, talent, and international connections.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Business Investor work visa, applicants must:
- meet the minimum investment threshold
- show they have at least NZD 500,000 to support themselves (and their family if they are including them in their application) while establishing their business
- be aged 55 or younger when they apply
- meet English language requirements (IELTS 5.0 or equivalent)
- meet health and character requirements
- meet business experience requirements
- invest in a business that meets the financial threshold and employs at least 5 full-time equivalent staff.
Business investment requirements
The following business types are not acceptable business investments under this visa:
- businesses involved in:
- drop-shipping
- gambling
- the manufacturing of tobacco or other nicotine-based products, including vaping
- adult entertainment
- convenience stores (for example, corner dairies)
- businesses that offer immigration advisory services, or that were purchased from a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA), or where an LIA is materially involved
- discount or value stores (for example, NZD $2 shops)
- fast food outlets
- franchised businesses
- home-based businesses (businesses only operating from a residential address).
Entrepreneur Category closure
The Entrepreneur Category is now closed to new applications for the Entrepreneur Work Visa.
- Those who have recently submitted an application for an Entrepreneur Work Visa, INZ will process recently submitted applications for an Entrepreneur Work Visa following the rules that were in place at the time of application. Those who withdraw their application will not be eligible for a refund of any fees or levies already paid, regardless of the reason for the withdrawal.
- Entrepreneur Work Visa holders will still be able to apply for residence, as the Entrepreneur Resident Visa will remain open. Those who need more time to meet Entrepreneur residence requirements can still apply for an Entrepreneur Work Visa renewal to maintain their pathway to residence.
- Those who want to apply for a Business Investor Work Visa will need to submit a new application when the visa opens and pay the fees and levies.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.